Laboratory B is all set up and ready to see you at Champlain Mini Maker Faire this weekend! The event is on Sat. October 4th 10am - 5pm, and Sun. October 5th 11am-4pm at Shelburne Farms in Shelburne Vermont.

"Join the folks at Laboratory B for a self-paced soldering workshop. We bring the soldering irons and the kits, you bring the desire to learn. We will have kits from SparkFun and all the required supplies and safety gear for you to sit down and learn how to solder, and when you finish you take the kit home! Have you soldered in the past but are not familiar with some of the newer techniques such as surface-mount soldering? No problem! There will be beginner kits, intermediate kits, and advanced level kits to fit all skill levels."

When Laboratory B got started we were excited about the possibility of other hacker/maker/community workshop spaces starting up and sustaining in Vermont. That's why we created Vermont Hackerspaces Inc as non non-profit designed to help others do great things. The Foundry is a community workshop getting started in the Northeast Kingdom. Building on the grit, and hard work they are going to bring together a community of creators, tinkers, crafter, artist and entrepreneurs. This great community is going to build a great new space for creation and innovation!

On July 7th, Vermont Hackerspaces Inc, agreed to become the Foundry's fiscal sponsor while they get started. The Foundry is looking to develop it's own 501(c)3 but it's a long when from getting going to handling your own books. Check out the website or Foundry's facebook page and Foundry Info Pack for more info.

Laboratory B is currently working to organize a crypto party right in Burlington. This party will be your chance to learn about cryptography, information security and operational security. How to reduce some of the harmed caused by mass surveillance too. Learn about TOR, PGP/GPG, Pseudo-anonymity, TAILS and other super geeky privacy topics.

We are still organizing a location and time but stay tuned because it is coming soon!

Events:

2/7/2014: 2600 Meeting
Laboratory B is the primary supporter of the local 2600 meeting if you are interested in hacking and security related events in Vermont, check out the 2600 meeting held the first Friday of every month at 5 o'clock at the Food Court at Burlington Town Square Mall.

2/10/2014: What the Hack? How hackathons & makerspaces are sparking innovation in VermontIn the past few years we've seen hackathons and makerspaces spread across the state as creative ways to solve community problems and catalyze collaborations across sectors. Join Burlington NetSquared and leaders of these hackathons and makerspaces for an evening of learning, idea generation and reflection on how we can foster lasting multi-sectoral collaborations--and innovations-- through these kinds of events.
If you've participated in one of these events, come share your experiences! And if you want to get involved in one of the upcoming hacks or new makerspaces, here's your chance to ask questions.

2/18/2014, 7-9 PM: Learn to solder with us at the Lab.
We'll teach you the basics of through hole soldering with kits from Sparkfun!. If you interested in learning to solder microelectronics please RSVP us at info@laboratoryb.org

2/26/2014, 7-9 PM: Lock Sport Wednesday:Generally speaking on the last Wednesday of the month we sponsor Lock Sport Wednesday from 6pm to 8pm. This event is a place for folks who are interested in physical security and locksports to get together. We adhere to the idea of better security through education, and we also follow the law in this matter. Learning how locks works and don't work is not a crime.

The Laboratory B Crew and friends went out to Art Hop to show people how to make throwies and have a good time. We got together at the Lab around 5:30 assembled some throwies and made some awesome silly cyberpunk costumes (sorta). Then it was down to SEABA's Art Hop. Art Hop is party open gallery show, part street fair and part Burning Man down on Pine Street.

Sam, Laboratory B President all decked out.

Justin, Vice-President of the Lab doing it Tron impression

A arty shot of Jon Bondy’s 3d printer in action

Pup’s love throwies

Even cool teenagers love throwies

People were enlightened!

Everyone likes throwies!

It was great to see the Vermont Makers crew, and the Generator folks out too on Pine Street.

The Laboratory B crew had a great time at Champlain Valley Maker Faire. It was a gleeful marathon of teaching kids & adults to solder using the Sparkfun kits. Labortory B would like to thank in short order.

All the kids & adults who spent some time with us learning to solder. See people's expressions when they finished their kits was priceless!

To all the folks that stopped by the soldering station and wanted to come by the Lab; Open hours are 5:00 pm to 8 pm Tuesday and Thursday. Email info@laboratoryb.org or call us at 802.540.2524. We would love to meet with you where it is warm & dry.

Finally: It's the first of the month, so that means it's 2600 time on Friday! Meeting will be at the usual place the Game Lounge at 178 Main Street in Burlington Vermont from 5-8. It's on the third floor, so just keep going up. There will be signs to point the way.

Laboratory B will have a booth at the Champlain Valley Maker Faire, the Faire is Saturday September 29th from 10-7 at the Coach Barn at Shelburne Farms. At the booth we'll teach young and old how to solder! We'll have someawesomekits from SparkFun. You should buy tickets now to make sure you can get into the Faire.

Do you think having a Maker Faire in Vermont is cool! If so print out some posters and join the street team! Let people know!